Here are the main points I made during the speech.
I am here today because of cancer research funded by the
National Institutes of Health. The successful treatment of my cancer at the
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been key to my survival. I was first
diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in 2005, one of over 700 women
diagnosed that year in NJ. After my surgery, I took part in a clinical research
trial and after nine chemotherapy cycles, I was told I was disease free. When the
tumor returned in 2008 I had surgery, 6 more rounds of chemotherapy and was
once again disease free. The treatments I
underwent were available to me because of research supported by the NIH.
In the almost 12 years since my diagnosis I have seen major
developments in treating cancers like mine – all due to research funded by the federal government.
In 2006, a study was released that said intra peritoneal
chemotherapy offered a survival benefit for women with ovarian cancer. We know this because of NIH funded research.
In 2011, the Cancer Genome Atlas, a project funded by the
NIH, identified new mutations linked to ovarian cancer. This knowledge has led
to new treatment strategies. We know this
because of NIH funded research.
We saw the FDA approve a number of new therapies that
specifically target ovarian cancer, reducing toxicity and maximizing
anti-cancer efficacy.
We have these treatments
because of NIH funded research.
Today work continues to develop immunotherapies to treat
ovarian cancer.
We have these new
developments because of NIH funded research.
Progress is being made and now is not the time to reduce NIH
funding.
A proposed 18% reduction in funding would stagnate key
research and reduce the number of investigators trying to understand the causes
of the disease and developing cures for many types of cancer. This in turn will
impact the lives of many residents in NJ who have been or will be diagnosed
with the disease in the future.
As a Board member of the local Kaleidoscope of Hope Ovarian
Cancer Foundation I have seen the impact grants can make in the career
development of young cancer investigators. Many researchers supported by KOH
have gone on to receive grant awards from the NIH. The Federal government’s support
of cancer researchers, especially young investigators who wish to study rare
cancers, is very important to me and other women who may develop gynecologic
cancers in the future.
Cancer is not partisan, it does not care what religion you
are, what the color of your skin is, what your age or sexual preference is. The
only way we as a country will learn how to reduce our risk for disease, find
better treatments, find a cure and support survivors is through cancer research
funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Thank you.
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!
